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Read one verse of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with its Sanskrit, word meanings, translation and study points.

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Canto 3 · The Status Quo · 33 chapters

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Chant the verse. Say the Sanskrit slowly and carefully.
  2. 2Read the word meanings. Go through each Sanskrit word and its meaning.
  3. 3Find the meaning yourself. Before the translation, piece the meaning together from the words.
  4. 4Read the translation. Ask: what is the Lord teaching here, and how does it apply to my life?
  5. 5Read the purport slowly. Read it two or three times. Don't rush.
  6. 6Write down what touched you. Note the main points in your own notebook.
Read the full guide: how to hear the Bhāgavatam ›
Canto 3 · Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya
3.5.93.5.11

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam · Text 3.5.10

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees
Who is speaking and story frame
Speaking:Vidurasince 3.5.2inside 3 frames: Sūta Gosvāmī → the sages at NaimiṣāraṇyaŚukadeva Gosvāmī → King ParīkṣitMaitreya Ṛṣi → Vidura

परावरेषां भगवन् व्रतानि

श्रुतानि मे व्यासमुखादभीक्ष्णम् ।

अतृप्नुम क्षुल्लसुखावहानां

तेषामृते कृष्णकथामृतौघात् ॥ १० ॥

parāvareṣāṁ bhagavan vratāni

śrutāni me vyāsa-mukhād abhīkṣṇam

atṛpnuma kṣulla-sukhāvahānāṁ

teṣām ṛte kṛṣṇa-kathāmṛtaughāt

Translation

O my lord, I have repeatedly heard about these higher and lower statuses of human society from the mouth of Vyāsadeva, and I am quite satiated with all these lesser subject matters and their happiness. They have not satisfied me with the nectar of topics about Kṛṣṇa.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

Three study points drawn from the translation and purport.

Find Lasting Nourishment in Kṛṣṇa-kathā

  1. 1

    Śrīla Vyāsadeva compiled historical and social narrations to revive forgotten God consciousness. Their real purpose is more than presenting history.

  2. 2

    Vidura had heard enough about worldly society and politics, but he wanted to hear more about Kṛṣṇa. A pure devotee never hears enough kṛṣṇa-kathā.

  3. 3

    Bhagavad-gītā contains Kṛṣṇa’s words, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam narrates about Him. Topics and activities become transcendental when connected with Kṛṣṇa.

Key points from the purport
  • He was anxious to hear transcendental topics regarding Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
  • Because there were insufficient topics directly concerning Kṛṣṇa in the Purāṇas, Mahābhārata, etc., he was not satisfied and wanted to know more about Kṛṣṇa.
  • Kṛṣṇa-kathā, or topics regarding Kṛṣṇa, are transcendental, and there is no satiation in hearing such topics.

Śrīla Prabhupāda's own sentences, chosen from the purport as its central points. Read the full purport on Vedabase to see them in place.

How it feels

Mystery → Cosmic wonder. The origin of the world is revealed through inquiry and divine grace.

Chapters 5–12 of Canto 3: Creation and Brahmā's bewilderment. An editorial reading of the story's mood, not the text itself. See the emotional arc

Further reading

Chapter 5: Vidura’s Talks with Maitreya

Vidura meets Maitreya, who begins explaining the Lord’s activities and the unfolding of material creation.

Back to this verse in chapter 3.5
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Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. parahigher
  2. avareṣāmof these lower
  3. bhagavanO my lord, O great one
  4. vratānioccupations
  5. śrutāniheard
  6. meby me
  7. vyāsaVyāsa
  8. mukhātfrom the mouth
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Key ideas in this verse

The subject this verse serves and the themes it speaks of.

  • Īśānukathā · The science of God

    Who is the Lord, and how do His devotees live? · Subject 7 of 10

  • Kīrtana · Hearing and chanting

    Remembering the Lord through sacred sound. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “heard”, “narrations”

  • Bhakti · Devotion and loving service

    How devotion reorganizes desire and action. · Theme in SB 3.5

    In this verse: “devotee”

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

Am I seeking only interesting information, or nourishment for my relationship with Kṛṣṇa?

Practice

Set aside five minutes today to read Bhagavad-gītā or Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam with the intention of hearing about Kṛṣṇa.

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The story around it

The story this chapter belongs to.

Live this todayFind Lasting Nourishment in Kṛṣṇa-kathāThis verse's lesson: one practice and one question for today

Study points are short summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport on Vedabase.

Ask the BhāgavatamHave a question about SB 3.5.10? Get an answer from the verses themselves.
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